Monday, April 5, 2010

Laying Low In The Desert

I've been keeping a low profile down in the wilderness of Southern Utah for the past few weeks. Lots of running in the desert down around Zion, Capitol Reef, and Moab. These desert trails are a lot different than the trails I'm used to running on in Juneau. Very dry and hard as compared to the mud and roots I'm used to, but really fun and challenging.

For about a week after Way Too Cool I kept feeling pretty frustrated about my misfortune in that race but finally I came to accept it and take a lot of confidence with me from the fact that I ever even had myself in position to win that race. That wasn't really a position I ever expected to be in. Not to take anything away from Leor or Max. They both beat me in that race, as route finding is every bit as much a part of trail racing as the physical strength component. It felt good though to draw from the confidence of having been strong enough and fast enough to be in the position I was in 27 miles into that race. That experience combined with the great training I've had in the few weeks since then has me feeling very strong and confident going into The American River 50 this coming weekend and then on into the rest of the season. I've still got a ways to go to be right where I want to be for Western States but I feel like my path to that point couldn't have been any better than it's been in the past few months.

Sounds fantastic. That's some really beautiful scenery. Did you come across any snakes? I had a very close encounter with a rattlesnake recently in N. California. Makes me want to stick to the muddy trails for awhile!

You, Killian Jornet, Tony Krupicka, and the other 30 potential top 3 finishers.... WS100 will be such a great race. I'd love to have the fitness to be in the hunt. Don't ever take it for granted! Congrats on the Journey.